DMPL Podcast

DMPL Podcast: Anthony Paustian

On the latest episode of the DMPL Podcast, Aaron Gernes chats with local author Anthony Paustian about his book, A Quarter Million Steps, and Bookpress Publishing, a local publisher where Paustian works as a writing coach. A Quarter Million Steps is an award-winning leadership book th...

DMPL Podcast: Book a Book Chat Librarian

Book Chat librarians Rebecca and Maddie join the DMPL Podcast to discuss Book Chat's newest service, Book a Book Chat Librarian. This service gives you the opportunity to have a librarian visit and chat with your book club, classroom, business, or other organization to discuss books and get reading ...

DMPL Podcast: Terry Swails, author of 'Derecho 911'

On the one-year anniversary of the derecho that ripped through Iowa, meteorologist Terry Swails joins the DMPL Podcast to talk about Swails' newest book, Derecho 911. During the podcast, Swails recalls the events of that day and discusses what makes derechos so hard to predict. He also talks...

DMPL Podcast: Graphic Novel Book Picks

Book Chat librarian Alissa joins host Aaron Gernes on the DMPL Podcast to discuss graphic novels. It's a great conversation about some of the wonderful graphic novels that have been released in recent years with something for people of all ages. Apple Podcasts/iTunes | Google Play&n...

DMPL Podcast: Lana Wood Johnson, author of 'Speak for Yourself'

Author and Iowa native Lana Wood Johnson joins us on The DMPL Podcast. Johnson, who grew up in Des Moines, recently released her second novel, Speak for Yourself. During the course of the podcast, Johnson talks about how she approaches the challenges that come with writing modern young...

DMPL Podcast: Pride Month Book Picks

DMPL Podcast: Solving the Villisca Axe Murders with Rachel McCarthy James

REGISTER for Rachel McCarthy James' author event on Saturday, June 12, at 2:00 PM. The event will also be available online beginning Monday, June 14, and will be available through Sunday, July 11. In the early 20th century, a series of families were murdered over the course of nearly two decade...

DMPL Podcast: 7 Questions with Elin Hilderbrand

Host Aaron Gernes chats with AViD author Elin Hilderbrand in preparation for her virtual visit on Wednesday, June 9. Among other things, she talks about what it is about summer that she loves so much, the two moments that changed her career, and what hidden gem she thinks everyone should read. RE...

DMPL Podcast: Picture Books for Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Erica, a librarian at the Franklin Avenue Library, joins us on the podcast today to discuss a selection of picture books that can help kids learn about mental health and feelings such as grief, anger, and anxiety. Apple Podcasts/iTunes | G...

DMPL Podcast: Iowa Author Joseph LeValley

On today's episode of the DMPL Podcast, Iowa author Joseph LeValley joins host Aaron Gernes. LeValley is the author of the Tony Harrington thriller series, about a small-town Iowa newspaper reporter who uncovers conspiracies and solves mysteries using his reporting skills and sources. LeValley's ...

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Upcoming Events

World Food Festival Activities at the Central Library

All Day 9/13 - 9/19

Central Library Children’s Area

Library Branch: Central Library

Room: Central Library Children’s Area

Age Group: Children

Program Type: Educational, Take & Make

Event Details:

Celebrate the 2021 World Food Festival with some interactive games and handouts. This is a program that parents and children can do on their own to learn about world flags and food. Activities will be available in the youth area at Centra...

Disclaimer(s)

Central Parking

Free library parking is available in Central's underground parking garage for two hours per visit. Parking around the library is metered at various costs from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

BIG Book Sale

09/13/2021 @ 9:00am - 09/18/2021 @ 5:00pm

Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2, 3

Library Branch: Central Library

Room: Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2, 3

Age Group: All Ages

Program Type: Book Sales

Event Details:

Join us for our biggest library book sale ever! This book sale will take place in Central's meeting rooms with items from all of our branches. Items include: books, CDs, DVDs, shelving, tables and more! Stop by Monday - Saturday for extra deals and s...

Mid Autumn Festival with Viet Advocacy

10:00am - 11:00am

Forest Avenue Meeting Room

Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library

Room: Forest Avenue Meeting Room

Age Group: Birth-Preschool, Children

Program Type: Storytimes

Event Details:

The Mid-Autumn Festival or Tết Trung Thu in Vietnamese is a traditional festival celebrated by many East and Southeast Asian people. It is held on the 15th in the eighth lunar month, corresponding to mid-September to early October. The festival honor...

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

ISU Insect Zoo

10:00am - 12:00pm

South Side Meeting Room

Library Branch: South Side Library

Room: South Side Meeting Room

Age Group: Children, All Ages

Program Type: Educational, Exhibits, Play & Learn

Event Details:

The Iowa State University’s Insect Zoo is bringing some of their creepiest bugs to the South Side Library! Drop in between 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM to see creepy, crawly, LIVE insects up close with ISU students. They will be sharing information about...

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

Indoor Program

This program is hosted indoors. Please observe social distancing and follow local COVID-19 safety mandates. Hand sanitizer will be provided and staff will do their best to ensure any shared materials are disinfected between use. This program is subject to COVID-19 safety protocol updates, including room capacity limits. Please check our website for updates.

Cancelled: Legos at the Library

10:00am - 4:30pm

North Side Children’s Area

Cancelled

Cancelled

Library Branch: North Side Library

Room: North Side Children’s Area

Age Group: Birth-Preschool, Children, Teens

Program Type: Arts & Crafts

Event Details:

Come build with us at North Side! Drop-in to the library to enjoy our large Lego collection. ...

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

Indoor Program

Historic Neighborhood Walking Tour

11:00am - 12:30pm

North Side Meeting Room

Registration

Library Branch: North Side Library

Room: North Side Meeting Room

Age Group: Adults

Program Type: Educational

Registration Required

Waitlist Seats Remaining: 2

Event Details:

The Des Moines Historical Society and DMPL North Side are offering walking tours of this historic neighborhood. Tours begin in the Meeting Room. Ken Boatwright will be your tour guide. A presentation will take place in the Meeting Room in the ca...

Disclaimer(s)

Outdoor Program

This program is hosted outdoors. Attendees must obey all signage and follow current mask mandates and social distancing guidelines from the city of Des Moines.

In case of inclement weather please check back here for updates.

Historic Neighborhood Walking Tour

1:00pm - 2:00pm

North Side Meeting Room

Registration

Library Branch: North Side Library

Room: North Side Meeting Room

Age Group: Adults

Program Type: Educational

Registration Required

Seats Remaining: 1

Event Details:

Disclaimer(s)

Outdoor Program

This program is hosted outdoors. Attendees must obey all signage and follow current mask mandates and social distancing guidelines from the city of Des Moines.

In case of inclement weather please check back here for updates.

ISU Insect Zoo

1:30pm - 3:30pm

East Side Meeting Room

Library Branch: East Side Library

Room: East Side Meeting Room

Age Group: Birth-Preschool, Children, Teens, All Ages

Program Type: Educational

Event Details:

The Iowa State University’s Insect Zoo is bringing some of their creepiest bugs to the library! Drop in anytime between 1:30-3:30 PM to hold and see more than 100 species of creepy, crawly, LIVE insects. All ages welcome! ...

Disclaimer(s)

Indoor Program

CROSSROADS: A Journey with the Blues featuring Heath Alan

2:00pm - 3:00pm

Library Branch: Off Site

Age Group: All Ages

Program Type: Performances

Event Details:

Heath Alan (Pattschull) is a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Des Moines, Iowa. Heath was nurtured and mentored by some of Iowa's greatest talents including Patrick Hazell, Joe Price, Denny Garcia, Rush Cleveland, Roger Miller, Bob D...

Disclaimer(s)

Inclement Weather

This program is hosted outdoors. In case of inclement weather please check back here for updates.

Among Us Scavenger

All Day 9/20 - 9/25

Forest Avenue Children’s Area

Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library

Room: Forest Avenue Children’s Area

Age Group: Children, Teens

Program Type: Gaming

Event Details:

Some of your crewmates are acting sus, find them hiding around the library. If you can locate all the colors you will win a prize! ...

Preschool Storytime at the Park

10:15am - 10:45am

Library Branch: Off Site

Age Group: Birth-Preschool

Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Storytimes

Event Details:

Join Miss Jennifer at Tower Park for Preschool Storytime on Monday mornings at 10:15 a.m. There will be stories, rhymes, music, and more. This storytime is recommended for ages three to five, but all children are welcome to attend. ...

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

Outdoor Program

This program is hosted outdoors. Attendees must obey all signage and follow current mask mandates and social distancing guidelines from the city of Des Moines.

In case of inclement weather please check back here for updates.

The Outreach Project

1:00pm - 3:00pm

Central Library Gateway Gallery

Library Branch: Central Library

Room: Central Library Gateway Gallery

Age Group: Adults

Program Type: Health & Wellness

Event Details:

The Des Moines Public Library is partnering with area organizations to connect people with community resources. Community advocates will provide information about community resources like meal sites and shelters. They may also offer support and ...

Disclaimer(s)

Accessibility

The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.

East Side Book Discussion Group

2:00pm - 3:00pm

East Side Meeting Room

Library Branch: East Side Library

Room: East Side Meeting Room

Age Group: Adults

Program Type: Book Clubs

Event Details:

Join us as we reconvene in-person for East Side's Book Discussion Group. We will be talking about Elizabeth Berg's novel, The Confession Club. You may pick up a copy of the book at East's Circulation desk. Coffee and a treat will be served....

Disclaimer(s)

Food Allergies

We cannot guarantee that food served at this program has not come into contact with tree nuts, soy, or other allergens.

Indoor Program

Typing Club

3:00pm - 4:00pm

North Side Meeting Room

Registration

Library Branch: North Side Library

Room: North Side Meeting Room

Age Group: Adults

Program Type: Computers & Technology

Registration Required

Seats Remaining: 7

Event Details:

Would you like to learn how to type or improve your keyboarding skills at your own pace? The library can help! Visit the North Side Library every Monday at 3pm to practice and get one on one assistance. Laptops will be provided. All skill levels welc...